Puts forth its flower of girlhood; and her gait

How virginal, how soft her speech, her eyes

How seemly smiling; wise should all ye be,

380

All honourable and kindly men of age;

Now give me counsel and one word to say

That I may bear to speak, and hold my peace

Henceforth for all time even as all ye now.

Dumb are ye all, bowed eyes and tongueless mouths,

[Pg 22]

Unprofitable; if this were wind that speaks,

As much its breath might move you. Thou then, child,

Set thy sweet eyes on mine; look through them well;

Take note of all the writing of my face

As of a tablet or a tomb inscribed

390

That bears me record; lifeless now, my life

Thereon that was think written; brief to read,

Yet shall the scripture sear thine eyes as fire

And leave them dark as dead men's. Nay, dear child,

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